Crystal River current., 1887-03-19

| to her that she was in error about his
| identy? She had called him Charlie,
too! Leslie's name was George, and he
had no brothers. In any case it was
rather strong order for a girl to come
into any mans room who was not her
brother.
Charlie buried his head under the
clothes, and awaited the denouement.
1t was not long in coming.
"Charlie," said the fair one again,
and this time her voice Indicated that
'.if you don't wake up this instant will
throw wet sponge ut you. You are
lazy pign'
Then he heard her proceed to the
washing-stand and dip sponge in the
water, and partly wiring it. Next mo-
ment, with unusually good aim for
girl, 1t bounced on his head. which was
protected by the bedclothes.
Charlie smothered laugh, it was be-
coming too ridiculous.
Every well. then" said the voice, ap-
preaching; Il shall come and drag the
colthes off you"
Now he must act with promptness.
He raised himself a little and put the
clothes just far enough back for his as
sailant to see his laughing blue eyeA&,
The damsel stopped midway in her ca
reer; an express on of stony horror
flashed into her face; her cheeks dyed
with crimson. and uttering an agonized
little groan she turned and fled.
Charlie laughed all the time he was
getting up. He could not help wonder
ing how she would meet him at break
fast. By Joye, what pretty creature
she was! Would she tell any one or
would she ignore the incidentP He
would take his cue from her. The fam
lily were all assembled in the breakfast
room when he came down, and he was
presented to his host and hostess; to
three nice. freshlooking girls, Leslie's
sisters, and Il fair young fellow about
his own height and coloring as my
cousin Fame" But where was the
fourth, his charming visitant? There
was no other place laid at the table,
and breakfast came and went and she
did not appear. He heard the other
girls address the cousin as Charlie. and
comprehended that that was the young
gentleman for whom he had mistaken
Still he did not approve of a girl. such a
pretty girl. too, making SO free with
cousin. "A brother is all very WELL"
etc. 1t was evident that no one knew
Il syllable about the event of the morn
ing. Every time the door opened Char
lie looked toward it; his eyes wandered
over the lawn into the garden. He was
almost dstrait.
"Have you any more sisters?' he
asked of Leslie, as they walked TO-
gether to the shooting, little apart
from the father and cousin.
mo. only those three" replied Les
lie. And quite enough. too"
Charlie was completely mystified.
He did not shoot ;.s straight as usual;
his thoughts were distracted by the
pretty, golden-haired creature who had
aroused him from his slumbers. He
could not have dreamed it-no, there
he got up.
The shooting was over; he and Les
lie were strolling homeward along the
road, when n smart little village cart
with trotting pony. and freighted
with two lade came toward them.
"fhs is our parsons wife," said
Leslie. "Such good sort-I must in
troduce yo, to herr And, as he made
sign to the charioteer, she pulled up,
and Charlie saw her companion was
his fair friend of the morning.
"How are you. Mrs. Grey?' cried
Leslie, checrly. Let me introduce my
friend West to you Mrs. Grey. Mr..
West; Lii. Mr.. West
Lii made the slightest motion of her
head, without meeting Charlie's eyes.
Leslie indulged in some gay bandinage
with Mrs. Grey and Charlie, though he
felt slightly embarrassed, tried to mako
conversation with Miss Lii. She an
swered yves" Or no." as occasion re-
quired. and never once raised her eyes
to his lace.
''Do come up and dine tonight. Mrs
Grey" entreated Leslie; my mother
would be so awfully pleased. I'll go
home and get a note from her if you
think it necessary"
Charlie distinctly saw Miss Lii pinch
her friend in meaning manner.
''Many thanks; am sorry, but 1 can
not possibly manage it tonight Mrs.
Grey answered. We have SO much tc
do still for the bazaar"
"Lil, you young puss!' cried Leslie,
'.what do you mean by deserting us in
this wayp IL is a very poor compli-
ment to West. here"
I'VE are so busy settling about the
bazaar" replied the young lady.
"Well, l suppose you are coming
home sometime to night Shall /
walk down and fetch you?'
"Do!' said Mrs. Grey; but again
West saw the surreptitious pinch, and
Miss Lii replied hastily:
"No. please don't. Mr.. Grey will
see me home. / do not know when i
shall be ready"
The pony was getting impatient.
1--WE must be off, said Mrs. Grey.
Tommy is in hurry" And away they
flew.
"What do you think of our parsons
wife?" asked Leslie
Not much the cut of parsons
wife," replied Charlie. ''By Jove!
what figure, and what a fit her jacket
vast"
ssShe's the right sort - said Ies1ie